THAD YOUNG SAYS ANDREW BYNUM RETURNING TO SIXERS COULD "BE SCARY FOR A WHOLE LOT OF TEAMS"

(Associated Press)

Andrew Bynum is to have surgery today, ending the 7-footer's tenure with the 76ers before he even had an opportunity to play for them.

Or did it.

After Monday's win over the Trail Blazers, Thaddeus Young said he would welcome back Bynum – an unrestricted free agent – for next season, assuming he was fully healed from the arthroscopic surgery on both knees.

“Many guys have had knee surgeries and things done to them surgically and they've come back even better,” Young said. “It's all about (Bynum) getting back to the gym, getting back his rhythm and getting into the groove of basketball.

“Me personally, I think having him on the team and having his presence inside is huge. That's always been a knock on us, that we don't have a true big man. If we can get him back 100-percent healthy, it's going to be scary for a whole lot of teams next year.”

Evan Turner didn't sound as committed to the idea.

“I'm just pulling for him in general. I don't want to sit here and scream out, 'Come back, come back, come back.' Dude's going through surgery, know what I'm saying?” Turner said. “It's going to be tough enough rehab and everything. You just worry about the player above your own selfish needs.”

So what do you think? Should the Sixers make a play at Bynum in the offseason? They don't have the cap space to make a max contract offer, but should they commit some of their money to him? Post your thoughts.

That's a bit of a mischaracterization of Evan Turner's comments. Turner was just saying that he was placing Bynum's personal well-being above the professional aspect of 'will he/won't he' return. Nothing in his statement speaks of him being non-committal to having Bynum back as a teammate.